. >> krystal ball, i wish i could share rush limbaugh's confidence -- >> he is always right, so -- >> of yeah, how this works, i don't really have a counter-theory of how this works out. we've never been here before, so we're just guessing. >> well, and the problem is here for republicans, they don't want to agree to any tax increases in this deal. so they feel like the cuts that are on the table are better than having to agree to tax increases. and the democrats feel like the cuts that are on the table are better than agreeing to different cuts in an equal amount that would just fall more heavily on social programs. so it is hard to see how they get out of this impasse by the particular sequester deadline. >> but ari, do all republicans think that? i mean, if john boehner is out there saying look, this is bad for national defense, these cuts. bad for the economy, he is even willing to say. that seems to me to demand that you do something to avoid them. and if that means closing some loopholes, that would be a reasonable outcome. i just don't see how boehner can continue to say how ba